Tubular aerial adveritising device



Janv 3, 19330 J. TUBULAR AERIAL ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed Nov. 7, 1951 INVENTOR hate-rated Jan. 3, 1933 .PATENT @IFFEQE JOHN PICCO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TUBULAR AERIAL ADVERITISING DEVICE Application filed November 7, 1931.

This invention relates to an improved aerial advertising device, and its leading object is to provide a tubular, self-inflatable, display form which can be quickly released from a dirigible or aerial vehicle, and when released from an aerial vehicle in flightwill automati ally extend and inflate. itself, thereby displaying on its opposite sides suitable advertisements.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for quickly detaching the aerial advertising device fronrthe aerial vehicle, whenever occasion arises.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for stiffening the tubular form of the device, so that it will be quickly inflated.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a self-inflating tubular a dvertising form with a restricted rear end normally open to allow a free air movement therethrough, and adapted to offer sunicient resistance to the outflow of air to insure that the tubular form will be maintained'in an inflated condition.

lVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in certain new and useful constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, clearly described in the fol- 39 lowing specification and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the aerial advertising device extended from a dirigible.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on line A of Fig. 1,

looking in tae direction of the arrow.

Fig. 3 is an end View of Fig. 1, on the same 'scale.

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical sectional view of 4G a Winding drum.

Fig. 5 is a detail transverse sectional view of Fig. 4:, taken on line B, partly broken away.

A Referring to the accompanying drawing illustrating the practical embodiment of my invention 5 designates an aerial vehicle of any suitable type, a dirigible of the blimp type being illustrated for convenience.

The passenger car or gondola 6 of the aerial vehicle is equipped with a winding drum 7,

Serial No. 573,567.

which is journalcd by the shaft 8 on the stationary frame 9. The shaft is turned by a hand. crank 10, and is equipped with a ratchet i heel 11, which is engaged by the spring pressed pawl 12, pivoted on the frame 9. The sleeve shaft 13 of the winding drum, which encloses the shaft 8 is equipped with a hook 11 to which the end of the cable 15 is connected by the terminal loop 15a thereof. This hook is designed to provide a simple means to permit the operator to release the cable, whenever operating or flying conditions suggest it.

The cable 15 is connected by the strands or flexible members 16 with the metal ring 17, to which the forward end of the tubular fabric or silk envelop 18 is suitably connect ed. This tubular envelop is elongated to carry a large advertising sign, which may be designed or constructed'upon the fabric, and is suitably stiffened along its length by annular members or rings 19, which are spaced longitudinally from each other, and suitably laced or connected to the fabric envelop 18.

The intermediate ring members 19 are equipped with upstanding extensions 20 which support the collapsible fabric tin or vertical rudder 21, which is intended to stabilize the flight of the device through the air. Rearwardly of the last ring member 19 the tubular envelop tapers to provide a normally open outlet end, which thus restricts the discharge of the air stream through the envelop, and thereby insures the complete inflation of the device, when the same is being drawn by an aerial vehicle in flight.

Each of the ring members is also formed with a pendant arm 19 to which a weight 22 is secured, which also serves to stabilize the flight of the sign device through the air.

Within each ring member an electrical lamp is supported by the ring 24-, which is carried by the radial cords 25, the outer ends of which are fastened in any suitable manner to the ring members 19. The lamps are connected in circuit with the lamp or electrical wires 25 and 26. which are suitably insulated from each other and from the cable 15.

' The sign may be constructed by using letpasted or secured in 'zontal plane after the aerial vehicle.

ters cut from red or other colored transparent celluloid or similar material, suitably place on the envelop fabric.

The wires 25 and 26 are connected to an insulating connector plug 27m which is constructed to receive the connector pins of the insulating ring 28, mounted on the sleeve shaft 13. These connector rings are electricaL ly connected with the collector rings 29 and 30 mounted on and insulated from the circular end member of the winding reel or drum 7. The collector rings 29 and 30 are engaged by the brushes 25 and 26, which work through the frame 9, of the winding drum. When the cable is being wound the electrical connections between the brushes 25 and 26 and the lamp wires 25 and 26 will be maintained. The brushes 25 and 26 are supplied with current from the electrical storage batteries or current supply source of the aerial vehicle.

When the pilot of the aerial vehicle releases the cable 15 by allowing the winding drum to unwind, the connector plug 27 will be detached when the cable 15 leaves the hook 14.

Normally the entire device is collapsed upon itself, so that it can be stored in the ear of the aerial vehicle. When the device is released by casting it out of the aerial vehicle, and then allowing the winding drum to unwind, the tubular display form or envelop will inflate in a few seconds. When inflation takes place the tubular advertising form or device will be drawn in a substantial hori- By energizing the lamp wires the interior of the tubular fabric envelop may be illuminated, so that the letters which form the advertising matter will be caused to glow, and may be thus read at night by persons on the streets or in houses below.

Should storm conditionsarise the operator may instantly release the device by allowing the winding drum to unwind. This will cause the terminal loop 15a of the cable 15 to HIlhOOli and the connecting plug to pull out.

The shaft 8 is equipped with a pulley 31 to permit of the operation of the shaft by an electric motor or driving connection from the engine of the aerial vehicle.

Having described my invention Tclaim 1. The combination with an aerial vehicle, of a pull cable connected to the aerial vehicle. a tubular self inflating aerial advertising trailer connected to the pull cable by connecting cords concentrically distributing the pull on the circular forward end of the trailer, illuminating means in the trailer, means for stabilizing the trailer to present advertising matter on its opposite sides, and means carried by the pull cord for energizing the illuminating means.

the form by circumferentially spaced connecting cords equally distributingthe pull on the forward end of the form, and a. fin projecting from the form to stabilize the same in flight so that advertising matter on its opposite sides can be read below the trailer when the same is in flight, the rear end of the trailer being restricted to reduce the volume of air flowing through the form, whereby it will be maintained inflated in flight.

3. An aerial advertising device consisting of a tubular fabric form, metalrings con nected to said form at longitudinally spaced points, a cable connecting to one of the rings by flexible members, electrical lamps arranged within the form and supported from the rings, the rings having outwardly extending supports, and astabilizing fin mounteid on the supports, the whole being collaps ble.

4. An aerial advertising device consisting of a tubular fabric form, transparent colored lettering carried by the form, metal rings connected to the form at longitudinally spaced points, a cable connected to one of the rings by flexible members, 'electricallamps supported within the form from the rings, means for supplying current to said lamps, and weights supported by the rings for stabilizing the flight of the form when drawn through the air by an aerial vehicle to which the form is attached.

5. An aerialadvertising device for usein flight behind an aerial vehicle, consisting of a tubular form capable of being collapsed upon itself and constructedwith' normally open ends through which air may freely flow when the device is connected to the rear end of an aerial vehicle whereby the form will be inflated, the rear end of the device being restricted to increase the discharge of air therefrom, and an upstanding fin of oollapsible material on the form for stabilizing i In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN PICCO. 

